OK, we are now six months into the dumping program of the five vital senior centers here in Lewis County by the county commissioners. I still can’t get my head around as to why. Where is the approximately $300,000 that was allocated to the centers heading? How is it going to be spent? What other non-mandated funds are being targeted?
These questions are not being answered. In fact, we have been told it is none of our concern. Are the funds going to be spent to further Discover Lewis County, a program that seems to be doubling up on other programs that advertise Lewis County?
Why do we need to spend so much on this? How much do the radio station advertising spots cost? Is this how our money will be spent? Do the stations realize that these advertisements may be at the cost of the senior centers?
Giving us (senior centers) one year to make this transition is a travesty. How can the commissioners really think that this can be done? How many months did they take to make this decision? They certainly didn’t have the guts to let us know until after the election, knowing the election outcome would be different.
Edna Fund probably wouldn’t be in office. She seems to be the major instigator behind this travesty. If they really want us to be successful in this transition, why not say, at the end of 2017, we will reduce your budget by $80,000 and by the end of 2018, we will reduce it more and by the end of 2019, you should be on your own.
That gives our transition team and eventually the new board time to get things organized and not be rushed. Who knows, we might get it done sooner and wouldn’t that be great? When we hear about the ARTrails, the increase in salaries, the money given to the sports hub and Discover Lewis County, what are we supposed to think?
Now I see that the WSU Extension Master Gardener program is being cut. What or who will be next? Oh yes, I remember this is none of our concern according to the “go between” person of the commissioners and the transition team.
When questions are asked, it seems they are not being forwarded to the commissioners unless the go-between person deems them important enough. Who gives her this censorship power? Any question being asked is important or it wouldn’t be asked.
She should not be allowed to censor questions. What about facilities and the $100,000 that goes to them? What will happen to this? Will facilities be cut?
Watch out people and other nonmandated programs, keep your eyes and ears open. If the seniors are expendable, who will be next? Help us out.
Don’t let this issue die. Write and call your commissioners and tell them to keep the funding going for more than this one year.
We need you.
Maggie Davis
Winlock
Rose Cort
Toledo
